To finish off the year, @ The Coalface is proud to present this special feature showcasing the contribution coal mining makes to our communities.
We’re not talking about the contribution coal mining makes to our economy, with billions of dollars paid in taxes and royalties to the Government every year. We all have to pay our taxes after all.
What we are talking about is the contributions that are not required to be made. The contributions that coal mining companies and the thousands of people working for them choose to make.
We have put together a selection of photos from 2023 to show you just how many ways coal mining companies contribute. Some contributions may only impact one person. Some ripple out across an entire town. Some last only a short while. Some will last for generations.
They all count.
Glencore’s Collinsville Open Cut operation helped turn Collinsville pink to raise funds for breast cancer treatment and research at Mater Hospitals across Queensland.
New Hope Group were proud to sponsor the mighty Oakey Redbelly Blacks Rugby League Team, who made the quarter finals of the Queensland Arthur Beeston Murri Carnival.
Anglo American’s three-year, $1 million partnership with Heart of Australia provided mobile cardiology and gynecology specialist services to residents in Middlemount, Moura, Banana, and Theodore in 2023.
BMA has partnered with Mackay Artspace for over a decade to deliver BMA Kidspace, which provides a space for young children and their families to come together to learn, address social isolation and connect new residents to Mackay in a safe and fun learning space to encourage learning through arts.
Queens Beach State School’s kitchen garden program is blooming thanks to a grant from Bowen Rail Company to support the region’s littlest green thumbs.
Abbot Point Operations got creative in the kitchen with The Bowen Neighbourhood Centre to support their Healthy Lunchboxes cooking class. Healthy Lunchboxes is all about helping locals up their culinary skills and learn new delicious, nutritious and affordable recipes they can make at home using fresh produce available in Bowen.
Woorabinda youth are benefitting from better brain health after attending a series of ‘Deadly Brains’ after-school workshops, delivered by Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation and Anglo American. To further improve accessibility to Deadly Brains’ online brain-training programs, Anglo American also provided $50,000 in devices to Woorabinda State School.
Glencore partnered with Solider On, an organisation that helps current and former Defence families. Through this collaboration Glencore is supporting the Pathways Program which offers employment support and educational and training opportunities to veterans and their families as they make the transition to a new career.
Bravus Mining and Resources helped Townsville’s wannabe Tarzans and Janes get into the swing of things by supporting the development of YWAM’s new CBD youth precinct and high ropes course in Townsville.
Batchfire Resources recently donated $5,000 to the growing Callide Valley Men’s Shed, which went towards funding a new shed after the organisation outgrew its current facilities. Batchfire also committed to paying for the first year of membership for up to 100 Callide Mine team members.
2023 marked the 40th year of operations for Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh Mine and it was celebrated with a Community Day in Blackwater. Over the course of the day, Coronado facilitated an exclusive tour of the mine for 450 people from the local community. For those not on the tour, the Blackwater International Coal Centre housed local market and food stalls, as well as rides and activities for the smaller guests.
The 2023 BMA Mackay Marina Run marked 15 years of the signature running event and BMA’s sponsorship. During this time, participants numbers have grown from a couple of hundred people in 2008 to attracting over 3,000 participants in 2023. More than $500k has been raised for the Mackay branch of the Leukaemia Foundation.
Each year, Anglo American contributes funding to support sustainable development initiatives within its local areas of operation. In 2023, 53 groups across their operational footprint benefitted from more than $560,000 in funding through their annual Community Grants Program.
Always on hand for community events and emergency relief, the Collinsville Lions Club received a QCoal Foundation grant to upgrade the mobile barbecue trailer.
The Healthy Rivers to Reef Report Card was launched in Mackay. BMA has a long-standing partnership with the Healthy Rivers to Reef network who produce the region’s annual waterway health Report Card.
Glencore’s Indigenous Employment Pathways Program (IEPP) operates in both QLD and NSW. The purpose of the program is to provide work readiness and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians in the community. Not only can the program lead to employment in the mining industry, but it also allows the participants to transfer the skills they have learnt to other careers.
Abbot Point Operations like to get behind the community events its people are passionate about – like Bowen’s annual Don River Dash off-road buggy and motorcycle race. Tom (pictured) is a Superintendent at APO when he’s not busy racing, and he stopped by Bowen State School to give the kids a taste of the action ahead of the 2023 race.
A two-year, $158,000 partnership between Anglo American and Emergency and Long-term Accommodation Moranbah (ELAM) has provided more than 3,200 lunch meals to Moranbah and Coppabella school students and 750 frozen meals to Isaac region residents since April. ELAM’s Community Pantry is also fully funded by Anglo American until early 2025.
Coronado Global Resources proudly partnered with the Central Highlands Regional Council and the QLD government to host a mental health awareness event for the Blackwater community. Over breakfast, community members were given a down-to-earth perspective on mental health and wellbeing and practical tips from Mary O’Brien – the founder of ‘Are You Bogged Mate?’.
New Hope Group has a long history of supporting the local community and last year donated $360,000 to PCYC Toowoomba so its Oakey Connect Project could continue for at least the next two years. The Project helps young people between 12–24 years of age build resilience by developing skills and habits to help navigate life.
Yarrabee Coal announced a three-year partnership with Blackwater PCYC, helping enhance its youth programs and offer more sports and recreational activities to improve youth development in the area. The agreement will see Yarrabee Coal donate $90,000 over three years.
With a QCoal Foundation Community Spirit grant, the Bowen Community Centre purchased two new televisions to keep the community informed about workshops, services and to create a safe space for those in need.
New Hope Group’s three-year sponsorship commitment of the Clontarf Foundation will see the Group donate $450,000 over a three-year period. The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
Through Anglo American’s Regional Early Childhood Education Strategy, they’re working with early childhood education providers to improve educator attraction and retention. Their $623,000 funding commitment has provided early childhood educators in Moranbah, Middlemount, Moura and Theodore with access to housing, rental subsidies, attraction and retention bonuses, incentives and bursaries.
Thiess partnered with the Mental Awareness Foundation to support this year’s Walk for Awareness. More than 70 Thiess team members participated in the walk to help raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
Glencore Coal, with support from its Rolleston Open Cut operation, was thrilled to play a part in the opening of Rolleston’s new Beazley Park. Thanks to $135,674 in funding the outdated and unsafe playground has been replaced with new play equipment.
Work is complete on the upgrade of mobile phone infrastructure in Dysart and Moranbah with two new digital connectivity towers constructed in each town. The mobile network in Dysart has tripled and the capacity in Moranbah doubled. GW3 and Smart Transformation both identified the need for improved digital connectivity if local families and businesses are to access the opportunities technology can provide.
Bravus Mining and Resources are all about local jobs, skills, and training, and the Queensland Resources Council’s QMEA program is a great way for the next generation to understand the resources sector and the different career opportunities and pathways that exist within its business.
The Dysart Community Support Group (DSCG) hosted its annual Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event and it was once again a huge success. This event is thanks to a partnership between DSCG and BMA for the Connecting Communities Project, which supports new and existing Dysart residents to connect, while promoting access to resources and networks.
QCoal Foundation is proud to support Phase 2 of the Queensland Country Women’s Association Green project in Collinsville.
For the past 14 years, Glencore has partnered with Queensland Environment & Science to protect one of the world’s rarest endangered mammals – the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat. This year they committed a further $2.1 million to support conservation efforts to protect them.
BHP and BMA employees celebrated NAIDOC week across regional communities and BMA sites with celebrations led by site Local Inclusion and Diversity Committees and Barada Barna, Yuwi and Gaangalu Traditional Owners who delivered Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies.
Some of Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh Mine team members channelled this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, through visiting local Tiny Tots and C&K Centre in Blackwater. Coronado hosted a story time session, arts and crafts activity, and morning tea to support the integration and education of the history of First Nations Peoples.
An employee originated program, Fitzroy Mining Operations recycling initiative raises funds that are evenly distributed to the Movember and McGrath Foundation, supporting both men and women’s health.
Former NRL star and mental health advocate, Darius Boyd led discussions at New Acland Mine as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. In total, more than 150 New Hope Group employees and contractors attended the Safety Reset sessions, which help refocus the mining industry’s attention on its number one priority – the health and safety of workers and their right to return safely home after work.
Moranbah school students returned to school in 2023 with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture and new digital skills after Anglo American and indigenous edu-tech company, Indigital, teamed up to deliver a series of school holiday workshops. The $188,000 program uses virtual and augmented reality to preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage for future generations.
Volunteering Queensland and BMA have partnered together to support employees to participate in team-based volunteering activities in the Brisbane region. In 2023, the Goonyella Riverside Mine Planning team volunteered with Childhood Cancer Support in Brisbane to complete some much-needed maintenance of their properties.
Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh Mine again partnered with the Queensland Minerals & Energy Academy (QMEA) on a number of events throughout the year which seek to promote the opportunities working for a mining and resources company can provide. This includes supporting the QMEA / WIMARQ Girls In Resources Leadership Skills (GIRLS) Mentoring Program and the ever popular ‘Tradies for Day’ initiative.
Awakening Spirits is presented by the Mackay PCYC, funded by BMA and is an annual concert boasting a cast of 180 students and community members from Mackay and Sarina. The performance by the next generation of story tellers takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery, cultural identity, empowerment, reconciliation and connection to Country.
Batchfire Resources Callide Mine paramedic and former professional soccer player Paul Quarmby took the local under-12 team overseas to compete in the Borneo Cup. Before leaving, the talented young players were invited to the Callide Mine for a site tour.
Coronado Global Resources was delighted to support Blackwater Netball in the 3rd annual Coronado Curragh Cup which saw teams from Yeppoon, Clermont and Emerald participate. Coronado has been the major sponsor of the Junior Carnival for three years in a row.
Since 2018, Bravus Mining and Resources have used its Change for Choppers recycling program to raise funds for the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter, which provides emergency medical services across the region.
This year Glencore’s Rolleston Open Cut again expanded their free skin check program, providing free skin check clinics in neighbouring communities of Springsure and Rolleston. Over four days, 134 people participated in the potentially lifesaving initiative.
WorkPac Site Manager, Jaimee McKinley, with the first two ex-Defence ‘New to Industry’ workers at the Callide Mine as part of Batchfire’s ongoing commitment to the employment of local veterans.
An initiative of Glencore’s Hail Creek operation, in collaboration with ManUp – for prostate cancer, is ManUp Monday, where employees and contractors wear blue shirts to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. To date, more than 1,000 blue shirts have been sold. More importantly, 12 Hail Creek employees have received early diagnoses since the program’s inception. The program is such a success it received the Health Award at the 2023 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference.
Bowen Flexi Care used its grant from Bowen Rail Company to purchase new power tools including a leaf blower, lawn mower and whipper snipper for clients to use on gardening days.
Fitzroy Mining Operations are proud supporters of the Whitsunday Bald Eagles annual home carnival, hosted on the 28th and 29th of October.
BMA is proud to partner with the Clontarf Foundation to support educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander year 7-12 male students, across 24 Clontarf Academies in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. In 2023, the partnership extended to include the St Brendan’s College Clontarf Academy.
Anglo American is committed to ensuring that all Central Queenslanders have access to the best in aeromedical care, which is why they renewed their Platinum partnership with RACQ CQ Rescue and their Blue Sky partnership with RACQ Capricorn Helicopter services in 2023.
Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh Mine was privileged to host the 2023 Yarbun Rhunga, with students from Blackwater State High School as a part of its partnership with the Queensland Minerals & Energy Academy (QMEA)
New Hope Group supported the Oakey Community Under 8’s Day in 2023. Students and little ones from Oakey State School, St Monica’s Catholic Primary School – Oakey, Little Champions Childcare Oakey and Kids Patrol Oakey Academy had the opportunity to decorate a safety helmet, dig for coal in the sand containers and dress up in PPE at the NAC tent. The gala day attracted more than 300 people and was supported by a host of local businesses and schools.
Glencore’s Newlands and Hail Creek Open Cut operations joined forces to raise more than $42,500 for Grapevine Group Association, a locally founded grassroots volunteer group which raises funds and awareness for suicide prevention in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.
Bravus Mining and Resources gave the ball kids a helping hand to run the drinks at the Bindall Sharks All Blacks Rugby League Carnival in Townsville this year.
Dysart Arts provide opportunities to participate in arts and crafts to the community of Dysart. They deliver activities and workshops for all ages and abilities and manage the monthly Dysart Markets and are supported by BMA.
The Anglo American and Resilience Project School Partnership Program was rolled out to all eight schools in Moura, Middlemount and Moranbah in 2023. The two-year, $332,000 program will support improved mental health outcomes for students, parents and teachers instill the foundations of resilience into daily practice to help drive positive mental health.
A sizeable donation from New Hope Group to the Oakey Scout Group allowed the troupe to explore new fundraising tactics. The Oakey Scout Group has been part of the Oakey community for more than a century and supports members with physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development.
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Alligator Creek State School’s new undercover walkway was completed earlier this year thanks to a grant from BMA. The structure provides protection from the sun and rain, keeping students and staff away from the impacts of the weather.
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Over 600 students from Bowen State High School, Proserpine State High School and Whitsunday Christian College attended the QCoal Foundation Careers Expo and received career advice from universities, the region’s companies, and local businesses.
Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh Mine supported the Blackwater Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Participating team members put on a great display of sportsmanship and camaraderie throughout the day as they put their golfing skills to the test.
Cystic Fibrosis is a life-shortening genetic illness, and Cystic Fibrosis Queensland provides vital support, services, and hope to those affected. A QCoal Foundation grant will support the Fight 2 Breathe program in the Bowen Basin.
Fitzroy Mining Operations recently sponsored the balloon stall at Homebush Primary School Fair.
Glencore is a supporter of the 2023 Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. The program provides an exciting opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, 18–25 years of age, to come together to strengthen their leadership skills and build their capacity to drive change in local communities.
Anglo American seeks to play an active role in supporting educational outcomes that align with future-focused employment opportunities. As part of their ongoing commitment to support regional skills development, they’re underwriting the delivery of a Certificate II in Electrotechnology course, up to the value of $79,000, for students who’ve exhausted their government allocated VET in Schools (VETis) funding.
The Childcare Leadership Alliance (CLA), launched in April 2023, was formed to address the childcare challenges unique to regional communities. The CLA is supported by BMA, with Board Member and General Manager of Peak Downs Mine Mick Thomas stating that a lack of childcare was a major issue for communities.
Abbot Point Operations helped the kids from Bowen State School attend The Challenge Games in Townsville – a two-day carnival of sports, athletics, and activities catering for NQ primary and secondary students who have a disability – so they could make new friends and discover new sports and games to play.
Glencore’s Clermont Open Cut operation sponsored the Jugs and Jocks evening, a mental health awareness initiative. Over 100 men gathered to hear from NRL legend Ray Thompson. Teaming up with the The Resilience Project, Ray dived into some practical mental health strategies, focusing on the power of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness.
Peabody was pleased to sponsor the Muck and Cart competition at the AusIMM Southern Queensland Local Mining Games in Brisbane. The Games challenge university students in traditional mining techniques including muck and cart, rock identification and gold panning. The Games were founded to honour the 91 miners who tragically died in the Sunshine Mine tragedy in Idaho, USA and now commemorate all resources industry deaths worldwide.
Glencore’s Clermont Open Cut sponsored the Blue Edge Program again this year. The program, run by Clermont Blue Light and the Clermont Police station, is focused on helping students from Clermont State High School develop their mental and physical strength, as well as their leadership and teamworking skills.
A generous donation to St Monica’s Catholic Primary School from New Hope Group helped the school purchase a selection of robotic and STEM resources including Bee-Bots and coding kits.
A new, cutting-edge Virtual Reality lab has been developed under a $400,000 partnership between Anglo American and the Resources Centre of Excellence. The purpose-built lab uses immersive learning to equip new-to-industry trainees, mining professionals, training organisations and community groups with industry skills.
As part of BHP/BMA’s Queensland Indigenous Land Conservation Partnership with Greening Australia, the Woorabinda Junior Rangers joined forces with local environmental agencies to undertake interventions and beautification of Horseshoe Lagoon to improve biodiversity and water quality.
Abbot Point Operations have been supporting the important work Bowen Meals on Wheels do since 2017 and love it when they can help with practical things like building them a new driveway – after all, it’s hard to deliver meals if you can’t get the wheels safely to the street!
Not many schools can say they have their own radio station but Capella State High School is live on the airwaves thanks to funding from Glencore School’s P&C Grant program. The region’s newest radio station – Star FM, operates out of their repurposed school darkroom.
The Moranbah Highlanders Swimming Club was successful in securing funding through BMA’s Benefiting My Community Program, which supported the delivery of a Swimming Camp providing swimmers from the region with the opportunity to improve skills and technique.
Fitzroy Mining Operations are proud supporters of the Moranbah Hawks Soccer team through their sponsorship and donation program. (Pictured: Thomas Bereyne)
QCoal Foundation is proudly partnering with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Qld Section) to build a world class aviation facility in Bundaberg. Construction is currently underway.
A partnership with Glencore has allowed the establishment of ClermontCONNECT. The aim of ClermontCONNECT is to secure future community services, opportunities and initiatives through a stronger united voice for current and future generations.
Oakey Girl Guides received an eleventh-hour lifeline from New Hope Group in 2023. The group was hit-hard by COVID-19 restrictions which made fundraising impossible, placing its future at risk. When New Hope Group learned the Oakey Girl Guides was under threat, it immediately stepped up with a generous donation.
Bravus Mining and Resources’ people love swapping their hard hats for Akubras for the Twin Hills Races, Rodeo & Campdraft.
Kids across Anglo American’s communities enjoyed a series of free school holiday workshops throughout 2023. Aspiring young engineers constructed and coded their own self-propelled Lego creations and ambitious artists brushed up on their painting skills.
Local students were tested on the tools as part of the second annual ‘Tradies for a Day’ event in September, presented by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) and Batchfire Resources. Year 10 students from Biloela State High School and Redeemer Lutheran College were given the opportunity to explore trade-based activities like welding and wiring, with highly-skilled Batchfire Resources tradespeople showing them the ropes.
Blackwater Arts Society provides opportunities for local artists to grow their skills and connect with people through art, holding workshops locally in a variety of mediums. Recently the group was successful in securing funding through BMA’s Benefiting My Community Program, which supported the delivery of the annual Art Exhibition in Blackwater.
For almost 25 years, Thiess has proudly partnered with Hear and Say, an organisation dedicated to supporting children with hearing loss. In November, Thiess’ Lake Vermont team attended the Hear to Learn School Hearing Screening Program at Dysart State School in Queensland.
Glencore is a Foundation Partner of MATES in Mining, as well as having representation on the advisory board and advocating for the work that MATES in Mining sets out to achieve in the industry. As part of the partnership MATES in Mining delivers suicide awareness and prevention training and provides ongoing support to more than 10,000 employees across Glencore Coal’s 16 operations.
Each year QCoal Foundation provides a three year, $30,000 scholarship for a student from regional or remote Queensland studying at JCU. 2021 recipient from Emerald, Holly McLean, is currently studying dentistry at JCU.
Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh Mine welcomed traditional owners to perform a NAIDOC smoking ceremony and welcome to country. Coronado is proud to support NAIDOC week each year, including the annual Blackwater NAIDOC March.
Anglo American expanded its Isaac Wellbeing Project partnership in 2023 to improve access to mental health support for Isaac region residents. The $463,000 partnership with Moranbah District and Support Service (MDSS) funds three counselling roles and provides a range of attraction and retention benefits.
Bravus Mining and Resources support the Ronald McDonald Family Room which provides an in-hospital kitchen, laundry, play, and other facilities to families of North Queensland children receiving inpatient or outpatient care at Townsville University Hospital.
The new selectability Mental Health Hub in Moranbah was officially opened earlier this year. The Hub aims to build community resilience, promote mental health awareness and improve help seeking behaviours and referral pathways within the region. The initiative, made possible through funding from the BMA Community Resilience Project, provides a central location to access support and information and connect to a range of early intervention programs.
In its first year of a new five-year partnership funded by BMA, the 4RFM Connecting Communities partnership delivers Youth Programs including Project Y & Project Podcast.
